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Dr. Judy Yip-Reyes, institutional effectiveness director with Northland Pioneer College (NPC), began what will be an ongoing series of training for the board in preparation for the November on-site visit of the Higher Learning Commission’s (HLC) accreditation team at the Navajo County Community College District Governing Board meeting on Jan. 15.
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As she began, Reyes said, “Today’s focus will be: What is the role and purpose of the accreditation?” The HLC is an independent corporation founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States responsible for accrediting degree-granting colleges, universities and vocational schools with the goal to assure and improve academic quality in higher education.
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Reyes said the value of an accredited status indicates the soundness and legitimacy of the college, which is essential to the financial well-being as well as the ability to assist students with successful transfer of credits to other colleges and universities.
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Reyes assured the board that while their role in the visit was important, “It is not an interrogation; it is a dialogue. The HCL team wants to understand how the whole college works and we, the college, will prepare you to answer those questions. We will always point back to what you have done, how you examine the college. It’s a serious thing, but not a frightening thing. In subsequent training we will get into more detail.”
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Board Member James Matteson said, “I am very concerned that we perform well and carry our share of the load in retaining our accreditation.”
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To which Reyes replied, “Their (the commission’s) goal is not to see the college fail. Their goal is to make sure we have good academic quality. They have expectations and areas that need improvement, they will point it out objectively and helpfully. Yes, they are coming to examine us but they can be our partners.”
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The HLC currently has revised its 10-year evaluation schedule to one that continuously monitors excellence of operational and educational standards. This new model ensures the district’s students of an up-to-date, nationally recognized and accredited educational experience.
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NPC last received its 10-year continuance of accreditation in 2009. Preparing for the HLC Accreditation is one of NPC’s 2018-2019 strategic priorities. This priority has two components: The argument preparation and the college awareness and communication. It is anticipated that the final draft of the argument presentation will be ready for the district governing board and college-wide review in mid-April with the communication plan being implemented in mid-February.
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The board unanimously agreed to have the ongoing accreditation training sessions start at 9:30 a.m. before each regularly scheduled board meeting.
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